New rules now require ground paramedics to consult with trauma doctors before calling for a helicopter in all but the most obvious life-threatening cases. Bill Bernard, the director of flight operations, said calls have gone down since, but the real test will be this summer, traditionally their busiest season. Last Saturday, when temperatures soared above 90, state police helicopters across the state flew 30 missions and transported 19 patients, about average for a hot day before the crash occurred.
Here, there is no debate or second-guessing at being called out on runs - they say ground crews make the best call they can with limited resources and equipment, and bad injuries don't often appear obvious. "I'd rather fly nine patients who didn't need to fly than not fly the one patient who did," Bernard told me.
In addition to the trooper and pilot, also being honored are: Waldorf emergency medical technician Tonya Mallard, who also died in the helicopter crash; Prince George's County Officer Richard Findley, who was struck by a car; Baltimore County Police Lt. Michael P. Howe, who died of a stroke after returning from leading an investigation into a murder-suicide; Baltimore County paramedic Brian Neville; Frederick Officer Richard Bremer, who died pursuing a suspected drunken driver; Baltimore County firefighter Thomas Rice, who died of cancer; and FBI Agent Samuel Hicks, a former Baltimore police officer who was fatally shot in Pittsburgh.
